Systems and methods for improved biohazard waste destruction

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods that comprise scanning, using a camera on a mobile electronic device, a target item coupled to a heating device. The heating device comprises: a transceiver that receives commands for controlling operations of the heating device to dispose of biohazard waste; and a target item that is coupled to or presented by the heating device, and includes heating device identification data. The methods also comprise: obtaining, using a mobile communication device including a circuit, the heating device identification data from the target item; accessing the heating device using the heating device identification data; and causing a graphical user interface to be presented that enables user-software interactions for communicating the commands from the mobile communication device to the heating device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/578,098 filed Sep. 20, 2019, which application claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/920,590 filed on Sep. 20, 2018, entitled, “System, Method andApparatus For Virtualized Operations for Biohazard Disposal”, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates, in general, to software provisioning,control, and heating/melting process of waste at high-temperature tosafely dispose of biohazard materials or other products processed by aheating device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

High-temperature controlled processes present challenges, due to theheat generated during these processes, in controlling the systems andmachinery associated with these processes. Previously, embeddedcomputers were used to handle any high-temperature controlled processes.

In one such example, an embedded computer is tied to a set of thermoscouplers, a solenoid actuator, a display with a Liquid Crystal Display(“LCD”) screen, a serial printer, and some other devices with limitedand closed environments for controlling an incineration process at 400degrees Fahrenheit and maintaining a safe environment for the operator.

In another example, a system controls the process of destroying specialwaste through a chamber and a waste box with a PIN code. This systemuses this code for authentication and authorization which is combined ina software platform that inserts an identity card into a system forpurposes of validating a user to use a device to initiate thedestruction of hazardous materials. In a similar configuration, othersystems, include a method and set of instructions to sort pharmaceuticalwaste that is loaded into a device with ties to an array ofelectromechanical sensors and a computer for automation in thedestruction of waste.

Generally, other systems for incineration have been created includingtouch-based screen and user-friendly processes. Touch-based systems arein use in many other fields besides biohazard waste disposal andincineration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure concerns implementing systems and methods. Themethods comprise scanning, using a camera on a mobile electronic device,a target item (e.g., a barcode or RF tag) coupled to a heating device(e.g., an incineration device or a melting device). The heating devicecomprises: a transceiver that receives commands for controllingoperations of the heating device to dispose of biohazard waste; and atarget item that is coupled to or presented by the heating device, andincludes heating device identification data. The methods also comprise:obtaining, using a mobile communication device including a circuit, theheating device identification data from the target item; accessing theheating device using the heating device identification data; and causinga graphical user interface to be presented that enables user-softwareinteractions for communicating the commands from the mobilecommunication device to the heating device.

In some scenarios, the methods further comprise: causing acomputer-generated image of the heating device to be superimposed on auser's view of a real world environment; and/or generating sensor data,using the at least one sensor, that is useful for identifying at leastone biohazard waste material within the heating device.

The heating device may also comprises at least one sensor configured tofurther comprise taking one or more measurements using the at least onesensor. The measurements include, but are not limited to, an internaltemperature of the heating device, a temperature of a biohazard wastematerial within the heating device, a weight of a biohazard wastematerial within the heating device, a volume of a biohazard wastematerial within the heating device, a level of carbon dioxide within theheating device, a level of water within the heating device, and/or anamount of time since a start of a heating process being performed by theheating device.

In those or other scenarios, the mobile communication device comprises amicrophone. Commands may be generated for controlling operations of theheating device in accordance with voice commands input using themicrophone. The operations of the heating device include, but are notlimited to, powering on the heating device, powering off the heatingdevice, altering a temperature of the heating device, and/or setting atimer for a function of the heating device.

The methods may also comprise: using the mobile communication device;accessing management data generating by one or more sensors of theheating device; and facilitating a visual inspection of the heatingdevice in an augmented reality environment. The heating device mayadditionally or alternatively be wirelessly coupled to the mobilecommunications device via a cloud network. The wirelessly couplingincludes inputting one or more login credentials.

The present document also concerns implementing systems. The systemscomprise a heating device and a mobile communication device. The heatingdevice comprises: a transceiver that receives commands for controllingoperations of the heating device to dispose of biohazard waste; a targetitem that is coupled to or presented by the heating device, and includesheating device identification data; and/or at least one sensorconfiguration to take certain measurements. The mobile communicationdevice comprises a circuit configured to: obtain the heating deviceidentification data from the target item; access the heating deviceusing the heating device identification data; and cause an augmentedreality user interface to be presented that enables user-softwareinteractions for communicating the commands from the mobilecommunication device to the heating device.

In some scenarios, the circuit is further configured to: cause acomputer-generated image of the heating device to be superimposed on auser's view of an augmented realty environment.

In those or other scenarios, the measurement(s) made by the sensor(s)include, but are not limited to, an internal temperature of the heatingdevice, a temperature of a biohazard waste material within the heatingdevice, a weight of a biohazard waste material within the heatingdevice, a volume of a biohazard waste material within the heatingdevice, a level of carbon dioxide within the heating device, a level ofwater within the heating device, and an amount of time since a start ofa heating process being performed by the heating device. The sensor mayalso generate sensor data that is useful for identifying at least onebiohazard waste material within the heating device.

The mobile communication device may also comprises a microphone. Theprocessor may also generate commands for controlling operations of theheating device in accordance with voice commands input using themicrophone. The mobile communication device may further accessmeasurement data generated by one or more sensors of the heating device,and facilitate a visual inspection of the heating device in an augmentedreality environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present solution will be described with reference to the followingdrawing figures, in which like numerals represent like items throughoutthe figures.

FIG. 1 provides a system diagram illustrating a touch screen interfaceto an incineration process.

FIG. 2A provides an illustration of an illustrative architecture, datadefinition language, and objects.

FIG. 2B provides a flow diagram of an illustrative method andabstraction process to create a Javascript object on a graphical syntax.

FIG. 3 provides a diagram of an illustrative computer architecture foran apparatus with sensors and drivers used for biohazard disposalprocesses.

FIG. 4 shows an illustrative mobile user interface to control biohazardprocesses using augmented reality.

FIG. 5A shows an illustrative graphical user interface with usagereporting with a PDF Viewer.

FIG. 5B shows an illustrative graphical user interface withadministration, logs, and a user management screen.

FIG. 6 provides an illustration of a computing device and touch screenmounted in an apparatus with a crucible.

FIGS. 7A-7D (collectively referred to herein as “FIG. 7”) provideillustrations of touch-screen and user interfaces for initiation andmonitoring biohazard waste destruction processes.

FIG. 8 provides an illustration of an illustrative system includingcontainers, reporting databases, and logic/rules databases.

FIGS. 9A-9B (collectively referred to herein as “FIG. 9”) provides anillustration that is useful for understanding a voice controlledinterface for controlling biohazard melting processes.

FIG. 10 provides an illustration of an illustrative architecture of amobile communication device.

FIG. 11 provides a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling aheating device using a mobile communication device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Some implementations of the present disclosure will now be describedmore fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich some, but not all implementations of the disclosure are shown.Indeed, various implementations of the disclosure may be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theimplementations set forth herein; rather, these example implementationsare provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, andwill fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in theart.

As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art. As used in this document, the term “comprising” (or“comprises”) means “including (or includes), but not limited to.” Whenused in this document, the term “exemplary” is intended to mean “by wayof example” and is not intended to indicate that a particular exemplaryitem is preferred or required.

In this document, when terms such “first” and “second” are used tomodify a noun, such use is simply intended to distinguish one item fromanother, and is not intended to require a sequential order unlessspecifically stated. The term “approximately,” when used in connectionwith a numeric value, is intended to include values that are close to,but not exactly, the number. For example, in some scenarios, the term“approximately” may include values that are within +/−10 percent of thevalue.

The terms “memory,” “memory device,” “data store,” “data storagefacility” and the like each refer to a non-transitory device on whichcomputer-readable data, programming instructions (e.g., instructions 302of FIG. 3) or both are stored. Except where specifically statedotherwise, the terms “memory,” “memory device,” “data store,” “datastorage facility” and the like are intended to include single deviceimplementations, implementations in which multiple memory devicestogether or collectively store a set of data or instructions, as well asindividual sectors within such devices.

The present solution employs touch-based user interfaces, provisioning,and Augmented Reality (“AR”) to manage and control the processes ofincineration that are used in the destruction of biohazard materials.The touch-based user interfaces may include various forms of GraphicalUser Interfaces (“GUIs”). According to various scenarios, the GUIincludes an AR user interface. The present solution provides animprovement to present melting and/or incinerator systems that include athermos coupler unit used for temperature measurement, a heatingmechanism with a resistor to heat a crucible of certain size or volume,and a latching/locking mechanism to seal the door of the incineration ormelting processes. The present solution may be used to control anymelting process derived from heat, and/or any other incineration systemor apparatus that is designed to destroy biohazard material, toxicwaste, and/or any other melting or incineration process with airfiltering, a condensation process, and any other component or sensorrequired for a safe melting/heating mechanism.

For high-temperature controlled incineration processes, in general, acontainer (such as a crucible or other suitable form of container) maytypically be used to hold materials to be destroyed inside a heatchamber or containment unit configured to house the crucible. Theheating element may include one or more sensors configured to detect atemperature of the crucible, a temperature of one or more materialswithin the crucible, a weight and/or mass of the one or more materialswithin the crucible, a volume of the one or more materials within thecrucible, a level of carbon dioxide within the containment unit, a levelof water within the containment unit, and/or any othercharacteristic/feature of the crucible, materials, containment unit.Additionally or alternatively, the sensors may generate sensor data thatis useful for identifying one or more of the materials within thecrucible.

During operation, the heating element applies a high temperature to thecontainer containing the materials to be incinerated. The container isable to withstand incineration temperatures (typically around 400° F. orhigher). The container will not melt or burn by exposure to the highheat, and all load and contents inside the container are melted and/ordestroyed. Generally, the heat kills any bacteria and viruses, meltsmany metals and plastics, and/or neutralizes any biohazard materialsinside the container through incineration. The process provides a safemeans of waste disposal.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an illustration is provided that shows mobilecommunication device 120 and a heating device 102. The mobilecommunication device 120 is displaying a User Interface (“UI”) 115 on atouch screen such as, but not limited to, a GUI, an AR UI, and/or anyother suitable UI. The mobile communication device 120 may include, butis not limited to, a mobile phone, Personal Digital Assistant (“PDA”),personal computer, and/or tablet. Accordingly, the mobile communicationdevice 120 (as shown in FIG. 10) comprises a processor 1006 (e.g., aCentral Processing Unit (“CPU”) and a memory 1012 (including one or moresoftware applications 1024 and programming instructions 302). The mobilecommunication device 120 further includes a user interface 115, whichmay include one or more input devices 1050 such as, but not limited to,a keyboard (physical and/or touch), and one or more output devices suchas, but not limited to, a speaker 1052, a display 1054, and one or morelight emitting diodes 1056. The processor 1006 is configured to causethe mobile communication device 120 to perform one or more functions ofthe present solution as described herein. The processor 1006 may beconfigured to run one or more programming instructions 302. The mobilecommunication device 120 may further include one or more cameras 1060and one or more hardware entities 1014, such as a disk drive unit 1014,which may include a computer-readable storage unit 1018 and one or moreprogramming instructions 302. One or more of the components of themobile communication device 120 may be coupled via a system bus 1010.

Some or all of the components of the mobile communication device 120 canbe implemented as hardware, software and/or a combination of hardwareand software. The hardware includes, but is not limited to, one or moreelectronic circuits. The electronic circuits can include, but are notlimited to, passive components (e.g., resistors and capacitors) and/oractive components (e.g., amplifiers and/or microprocessors). The passiveand/or active components can be adapted to, arranged to and/orprogrammed to perform one or more of the methodologies, procedures, orfunctions described herein.

The heating device 102 may include, but is not limited to, anincinerator device and/or a melting device. In the incineration devicescenarios, the heating device 102 comprises an incineration unitcontaining the crucible and a display 100 (e.g., an LCD screen).According to other scenarios, a cooling device may be used in additionto, or alternatively from, the heating device 102.

The mobile communication device 120 may use any standard image capturemode. The User Interface (UI) 115 being presented by the mobilecommunication device depicts the use of an AR kit mode. The imagesreceived by the mobile communication device's camera are captured fromthe incinerator or biohazard disposal device, which is shown on thescreen 115.

In some scenarios, the mobile communication device 120 is configured torun an Augmented Reality (AR) application configured to overlay atouchable menu 130 that can be used to control the melting orincineration device and biohazard disposal process (e.g. an AR Kit for asmart phone device, mobile communication device, etc.). The heatingdevice 102 and the mobile communication device 120 include one or moretransceivers configured to facilitate communications therebetween. Thesecommunications allow the mobile communication device 120 to monitorand/or control operations of the heating device 102. These operationscan include, but are not limited to, management operations (e.g.,powering on the heating device, powering off the heating device,altering a temperature of the heating device, etc.) and/or monitoringoperations (e.g., accessing data measurements taken from one of moresensors of the heating device, visually inspecting one or morecomponents of the heating device, etc.).

A target item may be disposed on an exterior surface of the heatingdevice 102 and/or presented within the display 100 of the heating device102. The target item may include, but is not limited to, a QuickResponse (“QR”) code, a barcode, a Radio Frequency Identification(“RFID”) tag, identification data, and/or any other suitable item thatis useful for identifying the heating device 102. The target item maycomprise an identifier for the heating device 102 that is being used.

During operation, the identifier of the target item, including anyidentification data, is obtained by the mobile communication device 120(e.g., via a camera, barcode reader and/or tag reader). The identifieris communicated from the mobile communication device 120 to a remotemanagement system 104 (e.g., a cloud based system). This communicationis performed to notify the remote management system that the givenheating device 102 is being used, is going to be in use, and/or needs tobe in use.

In response to the notification, the remote management system 104performs operations to determine whether the heating device 102 iscommunicatively coupled to the remote management system 104. If theheating device 102 is disconnected from the remote management system104, then the heating device 102 operates in manual mode and storesinformation locally until the heating device 102 is back online. Whenonline, the heating device 102 provides remote management system 104with a log of the operations performed during the period of time whenthe heating device 102 was offline. However, a usage policy could beimposed by which no action can be performed with the heating device 102when the device is found to be in a disconnected state (i.e.,disconnected from the remote management system 104).

The target item may further include access information for the heatingdevice 102. This access information is then used by the mobilecommunication device 120 and/or remote management system 104 to obtainaccess to the heating device 102 for monitoring, managing and/orcontrolling the same.

Other contextual data may be used to determine the identity of theheating device 102. For example, Bluetooth Media Access Control (“MAC”)Addresses and/or broadcasting Service Set Identifiers (“SSIDs”) mayadditionally or alternatively be used to identify the heating device 102(e.g., via Radio Frequency (RF) Fingerprinting and/or any other suitablemeans of identifying the heating device 102). A mapping may be made tothe heating device 102 either by identifying the picture with the targetitem and/or by using the heating device 102 on a screen and detectingedges, and other procedures that are either computed internally orexternally in a cloud-based or rest service available for this purpose.

As the heating device 102 is identified by its context, and/or by anyother suitable method, a standard login/password may be presented to theuser to validate in the remote management system 104 that such user haspermissions to control the heating device 102. The UI may be floatingand will appear in the proximity of the camera that is pointing to theheating device 102, as shown in 130, where a menu associated to theheating device 102 is then presented, and overlaid into video that themobile communication device's display.

In order to control, manage, and properly control the melting and/orincineration processes inside the heating device 102, a novelarchitecture is presented in FIGS. 2A-2B (collectively referred toherein as “FIG. 2”).

In accordance with the architecture, the heating device 102 becomes partof the “Internet of Things,” exposing a novel way to measure and controltemperature, control and manage heating and/or melting processes, detectbiohazard materials, measure volume and weight, and collect informationand data that enables the use of big data analysis and/or any otherstatistical method or methods to establish correlation or machinelearning methods in any melting and/or heating device.

The system shown in FIG. 2A uses a heating device comprising a demolizer230. The structure of the demolizer 230 is implemented as an object or aclass (e.g., C++, Java, etc.) and is defined using a Data DefinitionLanguage (“DDL”). The DDL presents a set of properties that could bestored locally in the demolizer 230 such as “id”, “List report[ ]”, andall other commands. As an example, “List report[ ]” can be representedas an array or a list of reports.

Another property, shown in FIG. 2A, is that the current temperature(“current_temp”) holds the value of the current temperature value indegrees Fahrenheit or degrees Celsius. This temperature could also bestored in a list or array of timestamp values and temperatures. Thestructure could be separated to signal temperature values at the heaterdevice, the crucible, the exterior parts of the demolizer 230, or anyother temperature that is required to control and manage themelting/heating process.

It is assumed that a door or latch will protect the heating process and,as a consequence, a solenoid element would be required to maintain thelatch or door closed while the melting process is in place and open itwhen it is completed. Hence, the variable “solenoid_status” is requiredto determine if the latching door mechanism is on or off. Anotherparameter that is important to track and sense is the value of CarbonDioxide (“CO₂”). As this element is produced when burring or meltingplastics or other materials, and, although the device may containfilters that protect and block this dangerous gas, it is required tosense and compute value and ensure any melting process is safe tohumans.

Additionally, as a residual component of any melting and heatingprocess, gas and water is released. The water element is also measuredby the sensors in the demolizer 230. The h2O_level measures the amountof water (“H₂O”) stored in the condenser module of the demolizer 230. Acondenser is used during the melting process and is connected to a watercontainer that is stored while the heaters are turned on.

As presented in FIG. 1, as the heating device 102 is in use by severaltechnicians or users, all touch screen interactions, voice commands, andother inputs are also stored. The tracking and status of all utilizationis stored in a variable similar through “touch_screen” array. An arrayor list is the proper structure that will store a set of elements storedin the variable “list usage[ ]” or this could be stored in a databasesuch as “Mongo DB” or even “MySQL.”

The “mmW weight” that includes the Multi-millimeter Wave (“mmW”) sensordetermines the amount of material in the crucible. By usingmulti-millimeter waves at ultra-high frequencies, the sensor detects byone or several mmW sensors. The weight can be estimated by the densityof the materials reflected by the mmW sensor. The volume of biohazardmaterials placed within the crucible and that will be melted can betracked using the mmW sensor as this sensor can be placed within thecrucible and determine how “empty” or “full” the crucible is. Thecomputation and signal analysis of the amount of materials is requiredto determine melting time and potential temperature to use at thecrucible.

Additionally, FIG. 2A depicts how many properties can be set orconfigured as well as retrieved or get by virtue of get_* or set_*functions, which are stored in the demolizer 230. These functions can beimplemented as part of the Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”) and port toretrieve or change the values within the heating device. The demolizer230 could be an object class as in Java, C++, and/or any other languagethat maps requests to parameters or properties that include sensors,configuration parameters, heater elements, solenoid controllers, andothers.

The network connectivity between the melting device and the cloud 210 isestablished in such a way that a converter module 205 or converterapplication layer unit will handle Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (“HTTP”)GET requests, HTTP POST requests, HTTP HEAD requests and/or set/getcommands 200 for all the parameters stored in the demolizer structure.This is how the network to structure mapping is configured.

The mechanism presented in the present disclosure uses an SSH Reverse IP(Internet Protocol) tunnel 215 and a Secured Socket Layer (“SSL”)certificate 235 for mapping a local port 230 in the cloud environment toa tunnel that can traverse any network including Network AddressTranslation (“NAT”) systems 220 and access the Local Area Network(“LAN”) 225 environment where the heating device has obtained a privateInternet Protocol (“IP”) address.

What this software architecture and method depicts is, as an example, acommand called “get_all_values( )” created within the heating device.This function call is exposed via HTTP via, e.g., the URL<http://localhost:8080/get_all_values>.

Any command value is mapped to any function. For example, “start aheater component in the crucible.” The command “startHeater” or anyother command can be then mapped to<http://127.0.0.1:8000/startHeater/>. Hence, any mobile communicationdevice application can retrieve all of the parameters in the class bycontacting the local TCP/UDP port associated with the tunnel that hasbeen assigned to the heating device.

For example, a network node may be under the name server.domain.com.This network code is mapped to the public IP address where the heatingdevice can be contacted in a cloud environment 210 and the TCP port 8080is assigned to be used to redirect all traffic to the LAN 225 where theheating device is located remotely at a doctor's office. By establishingthe IP tunnel 215, all requests directed to the TCP port 8080 are sentdirectly to the heating device in the remote LAN. Hence, using astandard HTTP(S) request into sever.domain.com:8080/get_all_values, arequest traverses through the secured tunnel all the way to the meltingand/or incineration (e.g., an object or class retrieving all valuesstored in the remote device). The result from an HTTP request could beformatted using Java Script Object Notation (“JSON”) as shown in thefollowing TABLE 1.

TABLE 1 HTTP/1.1 200 OK Content-Type: application/vnd.api+json \{“data”: [  { “id”: “$FBQVE-01”,   “current_temp”: “280”,   “list_usage”:   { “title”: “Incineration!”,     “Type”: “Sharps and needles.”,     “started”: “2015-05-22T14:56:29.000Z”, “ended”: “2015-05-22T14:56:28.000Z” },.....

This JSON response, which was generated by the heating device, couldthen be made available to an application running on the mobile computingdevice or any other device that has been authenticated or permitted toconnect to the port associated with the heating device.

This level of abstraction converts the heating device into a JavaScriptIoT device and permits the interaction of setting and getting valuesfrom the heating device. On the contrary, a set process, would require,at 200, the use of a POST command and send a JSON object value to theproper set_*( )parameter. As an example, assume that the solenoid statusin the heating device needs to be released. Then a command could beissued with the JSON notation shown in the following TABLE 2.

TABLE 2 HTTP/1.1 200 OK Content-Type: application/vnd.api+json \{“data”: [  { “id”: “$FBQVE-01”,   “solenoid_status”: “OFF” }  ] }

As expected, a POST request will be made toserver.domain.com/set_solenoid, at the receiving end a Python-based, orany other web-service, will receive the command from the tunnel and setthe value of the parameter solenoid status to “OFF.” Likewise, a set ofinstructions may be performed by the heating device and use GeneralPurpose Input/Output (“GPIO”) pins in the local CPU (as shown in FIG. 3)to set and control not only a solenoid, but heating temperatures anddevice configurations, such as timers, utilization, passwords, and/orothers.

By implementing the structure of FIG. 2A, any JSON-based IoT framework(e.g. NODERED) can be tied as a JSON sequence, especially if a softwaremodule is created for the heating element or incinerator, as depicted in240.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a “Node-RED” sequence can be implemented, as in thesequence presented in 240, and the “Identifier Value” or “id” isvalidated in 245. It is noted, however, that, according to variousscenarios, other programmed sequencing tools may additionally, oralternatively, be used. If the identified or “id” is valid then a UI isloaded and presented in the device's screen 246. The “isValid( )” 245command is used in the pseudo-code 248 indicating that the cloud's IDvalue stored in the structure “cloud.demolizer.id” is located in theglobal database. The UI may be locally displayed on the device's screen,if the ID is valid, or may display an “Error” message if not.

In the pseudocode, in 248, the function “display UI( . . . )” is used bythe function or command “LoadUI( )”, at 246. The code that is part ofthe “LoudUI( )” function will return a full web page encoded in HTML,CSS, or Javascript, and/or any other plug-in format used in web browser.

As shown in this example, the UI may include an HTML page that is loadedas part of an HTTP request made to a local TCP/IP port in the localhostthat could be mapped or stored in the cloud, if a tunnel points 215 tothe cloud 210 or locally on device 250. An HTTP GET request will go the“url” variable which is a string to map to the command in use with aparameter “id” or any o other sequence of parameters that could haverecently used.

The command that is shown in 250 is: “Load(localhost,port).get(“url”+id)”, which is translated to retrieve from the localhostor at the IP address 127.0.0.1 and port. Once the UI is loaded andpassed to the web viewer 250, the UI is created and displayed on a touchscreen and waits in a loop for commands to be received via the displayinterface. The same loop can be used for an AR Interface or any otherinterface associated with the device control.

In summary, all entry points to control a device are REST endpointscontrolled via HTTP GET/POST requests. These commands or entry pointscan be controlled locally in the local LAN network, by touch commands inthe LCD screen, or remotely from another device by using the IP Tunnel215 that was stablished initially when the device initially started.

This system and architecture permits the use of docker containers thatencapsulates logic, HTML, and programming commands. The use ofcontainers with HTTP entry points, sequence logic, and user interfacesare stored in containers that could be updated and maintained. As anexample, a docker container or a Virtual Machine (“VM”) (e.g., VmWare orCitix XenServer) as each container will have a separate IP address withmultiple ports available to request information or command to the HTTPport and “url” values that map each entry point to retrieve functions orproperties.

Another benefit of this architecture in combination with an IOTframeworks (as an example NODE-RED) that use JSON and HTTP interfaces toexchange property values that can be chained together is that theabstraction of objects can be combined with many other pre-definedmodules or components in the NODE-RED interface, or any other similarinterface in which the JSON elements can be retrieved, decoded,converted, and manipulated thru the same type of interface.

As shown in sequence 254, a temperature connector mapped to atemperature sensor can be used to determine if the device is within arange of room temperatures (e.g., 60-80° F.). If so, then a door latchis unlocked in 258 by using a solenoid. If the temperature is higherthan 80° F., then the door latch will have to remain locked as shown by259 as the heating chamber is not at a safe temperature to be opened.Similarly, if the amount of CO₂ detected by the CO₂ sensor is lower thana threshold (e.g., a safe level) in 261, then a decision needs to bemade to stop the melting or burning process and set an alarm. The alarmcan cause an email, a notification, or a message to be provided to anoperator and/or a system administration. Once this alarm is set or thenotification is received, a “Stop all” state or command is issued asshown by 264. If that is not the case, the system would continue normaloperations as shown by 265.

In order to avoid a dangerous overflow of the water container, a watersensor measures the amount of water in 266. An alert is provided to theadministrator if the water level is greater than a threshold as shown by267. A high water level requires a manual replacement of a waterreceptacle tied to the condenser mechanism of the incinerator/heater oranother sensor to return the water level to a normal or safe level. Whenthe water level is not at a normal or safe level, an error value ispresented in 269. When the water level is returned to a normal or safelevel, the system continues with normal operation as shown by 270.

Any heating or incineration process would also require temperaturecontrol. In 271, a value of the thermostat sampled from the heaterdevice is retrieved at 271. Fans are turned On or Off based on theretrieved value. When the fans are Off as shown by 275, heating isaccelerated and the temperature raises. Once the temperature startsdecreasing, the fans are turned On in 274 to accelerate a coolingprocess.

The mmW sensor 280 determines the amount of hazardous materials storedin the crucible of any particular enclosure. There are multiple waysthat mmW systems can compute the amount of items stored in a particulararea. Due to its high frequency and sealed nature of the crucible, mmWbased techniques can be used to see-thru the metallic sheets andcrucible. The mmW sensor may be positioned inside the crucible and/or inany other location with a protective shield for head dissipation.Measurements could be processed at the local CPU as in the configurationas shown in FIG. 3 and/or processed in the cloud by a Digital SignalProcessing (“DSP”) unit or Graphical Processing Units (“GPUs”) that isable to process the mmW signals received by the mmW sensor. Hence, thefunction of the load at 281 will be able to determine the contentsinside the crucible or the container (e.g., needles, materials, and/orany other biohazard material that is detected by this container area).

Finally another parameter that can be measured is power (e.g., as shownin 290, the value of Alternating Current (“AC”) or Direct Current (“DC”)power that connects with the CPU in FIG. 3). If wall_off means thatthere is no power from the wall or the AC source, then a Universal PowerSupply (“UPS”) is turned on, while saving a state of the currentprocess.

This type of configuration permits the chaining and use of other toolsthat are already designed for web and IoT systems (including, but notlimited to, NODE-RED as well as many others). For example, an mmWsequence 280 output “start_heater” 285 may be combined with “temp” orchained with other standard NODE-RED or any other set of commands thatwill automate the process, manage monitoring better, createauthentication sequences, or use Machine Learning (“ML”) to deliver animproved user experience and create multiple scenario for the softwareto control the system.

The sequences of elements are then capable of connecting to other “NODERED” components (e.g., twitter, Facebook, social media, or other toolssuch as “slack” or any other system where a JSON feed could beconsumed). JSON notation is used here. However, the present solution isnot limited in this regard. In other scenarios, other formats are usedsuch as blockchain, XML or Data-Definition Language (“DDL”).

In FIG. 3, an illustration of an illustrative hardware architecture forthe hearing device is provided which implements all or a portion of thesoftware described herein in relation to FIG. 2. As shown, the hardwareincludes a CPU 380 with Random Access Memory (“RAM”) and Flash memory.The CPU interfaces with touch screen technology 385. The GPIO unit 365interfaces with a driver unit 373 that handles the UPS and/or backuppower unit 335 that is also connected with the AC voltage source 395.The voltage 340 is connected to the CPU 380 and is monitored by the CPU.Once the voltage fails, the sequence of 290 is activated. At the sametime, the CPU unit provides HDMI 386, USB 387, and Ethernet 388 outputs.Another GPIO unit may handle the sensors 355 for mmW 370, H₂O 360, CO₂sensors 300 and temperature 305. The sensor board 355 is captured by aGPIO 365 board that feeds the CPU 380. Other interfaces may includeLORAWAN 390, WiFi 391, and/or Bluetooth that provide local connectivityto mobile communication devices, or use LORAWAN 390 and establish an IoTnetwork to control, manage, and/or report all crucible use and heatingand/or melting processes.

The sensors in the GPIO 365 signals are mapped to the mmW sequence in280, temperature sequence 281, H₂O in 266 and temperature 254.

The heater 350 is controlled via the command “start heater” 285.Notably, other suitable commands may also, or alternatively, be used.The heater 350, fan 310, solenoid 315 and Photo Hydro Ionization (“PHI”)cell 325 may be controlled, using a driver 345, using software orcommands to set values or other elements via the commands sent throughthe IP Tunnels. In general, most sensors shown in FIG. 3 are binaryON/OFF, or a range of values (e.g., 0-255).

The activated elements are used during the entire heating process, andinvolve the components such as the fans 274-275, heaters 285 andsolenoid 258-259 (which are required for a heating element). One suchdesign may include a “start heater” process, turning on a heater 285,and continues with 256 and when the temperature sensor 305 startsincreasing until a certain value, or before hitting that value, or byusing a PID controller to reach 300¬400 F of temperature inside thecrucible and hold this temperature for a period of time, and maintainthe solenoid in a “locked” state, while the system of FIGS. 2A-2B usesHTML/CSS and JavaScript messages (e.g., Ajax, Asynchronous requests, orother by-directional connectors such as websockets). The locked statedmay be achieved by applying power to the solenoid component that ismagnetized and closes a protective latch.

In FIG. 4, the components and software shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 are storedand are part of heating device 410. These components activate a heaterto raise the temperature of the crucible inside of the heating device410. A mobile communication device is provided with a camera 405 whichcan be pointed to the heating device 410 as shown in FIG. 4. The mobilecommunication device overlays, using an AR kit and/or any otheraugmented reality feature, the temperature values 430 which may also bemapped to a raising bar with the amount of temperature inside thecrucible, as well as display the image of 410, represented in 420, thatis detected by the use of a target item, Bluetooth, and/or anycontextual information derived from the video being shot with the mobilephone's camera. This enables the mobile communication device to use theGUI, AR UI, and/or any other suitable UI to display a computer-generatedimage of the heating device 410 to be superimposed on the user's view ofa real world environment and/or AR environment.

Additionally, the mobile communication device can be configured tooverlay a menu with commands such as “off” 420 that will turn off theheating device 410 in case of any situation, “more information” 425 thatwill enable additional overlay data that may include example CO₂ or H₂Olevels that are captured in the architecture and software shown in FIG.2. According to some scenarios, the menu is an AR menu. The menu 428 mayinclude additional commands or configuration parameters that may load ARor native user interfaces to control or configure themelting/incinerator unit. Additionally, a timer with the amount of timethat is remaining to complete the melting or incineration process couldbe displayed 420. The mobile application could be connected directly tothe unit using an IP Tunnel to the cloud 210 or in some instances couldconnect to the unit directly. A discovery method could be implementedusing any service discovery protocol such as Universal Plug and Play(“UPnP”), DLNA, or Bonjour, which can be implemented with the augmentedreality application and connect directly to the URLs exposed by 230. Insummary, the application shown in FIG. 4 can retrieve and map the valuesin FIG. 3, list usage of the application, or even activate/deactivatethe solenoid holding door locked, or by receiving CO₂ values from thearchitecture shown in FIG. 2 as a software abstraction of FIG. 3.

Once all of these operations are related to the unit that heats, melts,or incinerates materials, FIGS. 5A-5B (collectively referred to hereinas “FIG. 5”) illustrate the UI that collects reporting information anddisplays access to the authentication process, and/or displays othermechanisms that are connected to the cloud shown in 210. In 500, the UIcould be a binary or an HTML page that displays, in multiple folders505, a picture of the administrator 510 indicating which melting orheating device is in use 504. A list of reports and usage information isshown in 520 for purposes of managing the reports for EPA or otherenvironmental agency proof of destruction of hazardous materials. Thereports can be “Open,” 516 “Saved,” 517 or “Printed” 518, and the reportmay include timestamps of melting, temperature, and any other suitableinformation (e.g., in PDF format 515 or any other web-based printableformat that can include a digital signature for validation purposes).

An administration page for the heating devices may be constructed, asshown in FIG. 5B, where information for the heating devices 525 isstored and maintained, exposing all the values shown in FIG. 2B.Additionally, alarms and logs may be stored, and devices displayed, atthe user level. Users 527 may be managed as well as granted access tothe reports 530.

FIG. 6 illustrates how the elements in FIG. 3 are assembled around acrucible unit structure. The crucible is depicted in 610 and a touchinterface in 605, which displays temperature and a progress timer. Thecomputing unit from FIG. 3 is mounted in the board shown in 615 and theCPU displayed on 630. In 620, the sensors or GPIO board connect to theCO₂ sensor in 650, the mmW sensors in 655 and the H₂O sensor in 670.Additionally, wiring is connected to the heater unit that is connectedwith the inside crucible that starts the heating process as well as thesolenoid for locking/unlocking an external door that covers the cruciblesection 610. Also depicted in this unit are the USB 635 port, HDMIoutput 640 and Ethernet port 645.

The touch screen displays UIs and icons that are used to heat anddestroy several types of materials, for instance “red bags” or“needles”, as shown in FIG. 7A, with a QR code menu 705 or 725. The QRcode displays a QR code that maps the heating device to thecommand/control application with AR or non-AR controller applications.Once the biohazard material is chosen, a screen shown in FIG. 7B isloaded from the system via an html-based UI or a combination ofHTML/Native elements are displayed. The proper temperature andconfiguration values are downloaded from the cloud and proper selectioninto the heating device and a start 717 button is displayed, as shown inFIG. 7B. Once the start button is selected, a screen is created, asillustrated in FIG. 7C with a progress bar indicating how much time isleft to complete the melting and/or heating process 740. This may be atouch-based interface with a web-based user interface constructed usingHTML/CSS/JavaScript/etc. This interface, shown in FIG. 7D, may alsoinclude a progress bar 740, a stop button 730, and/or even a warningscreen with messages such as those shown as 745 and 750, in case of anemergency to alert the user about a sudden shutdown given an alarm ordangerous situation.

The components shown in FIG. 2 and the UIs in FIGS. 7A-7B (collectivelyreferred to herein as “FIG. 7”) and FIG. 5 are stored in dockercontainers and/or any other type of VM where all web pages are stored,including reporting and a logging database. As shown in FIG. 8, a set ofcontainers is stored in a standard file system 800 with a docker imageper laboratory or configuration used for melting or incineratingdevices. Each docker image is then loaded in the heating device's CPUand memory 380 (FIG. 3), and each image stores the user interface,resources, images, widgets, as well as temperature values and othercalibration values stored in a per docker image 801-803. All reportingmay also be stored in tables that map each reporting 811-813 that isstored in a database 830 with all of the behavior that is being reportedfrom the docker images and machines executing at each remote meltingstation. The component called “Language/ON-RED IOT” 820 stores thesequences of commands that execute the elements of FIG. 2 in sequencesthat may not only perform monitoring, control, and management functionsper image performed, but may also include “Machine Learning” informationthat is being captured from multiple heating devices.

FIG. 9A illustratively depicts a system and architecture configured toperform voice-operated heating processes.

As shown, Alexa is used as an example, though any suitablevoice-recognition software may be used 900 through the local network(e.g. LAN), and the Amazon Web Service (“AWS”) 902 cloud is contacted,where utterances are stored and the cloud 904 is contacted. Theutterances 908 (e.g., “Alexa, started heating process”) is sent to theDDL system in the cloud 905 mapping an HTTP Request to the domain andport that maps the desired heating device. The heating process is theninitiated and maintained for a set length of time (e.g., “180 minutes”)and the process starts. The intelligence loaded with language 820interacts in parallel to the commands received via voice.

In FIG. 9B, the utterances are received by Alexa 930 and processed inAWS as an “Alexa skill” 932 and connects with the cloud of heatingand/or melting devices 934 depicted in FIG. 2. The system is configuredto recognize one or more voice commands. A set of utterances may includeauthentication 936 when a code is “played” back to Alexa, requestinginput of the code “What is the code on screen?” 940, which code could bedisplayed on the screen of the device. In this case, the code is “45970”as in 948 and once it is recognized or authenticated by the system 950.Once authenticated by the device by matching the code with the displayedvalue 954, a variable (e.g., “isOK( )” or “isNotOK( )”) may be used inall other voice commands and interactions 954.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is provided a flow diagram of anillustrative method 1100 for controlling a heating device using a mobilecommunication device. The heating device may include, but is not limitedto, an incineration device or a melting device.

At 1105, using a camera coupled to a mobile electronic device, a targetitem coupled to a heating device is scanned. The heating device mayinclude a transceiver that receives commands for controlling operationsof the heating device to dispose of biohazard waste, and a target itemthat is coupled to or presented by the heating device, and includesheating device identification data. The target item may include a RadioFrequency tag and/or any other suitable form of identification media.The operations of the heating device may include powering on the heatingdevice, powering off the heating device, altering a temperature of theheating device, setting a timer for a function of the heating device,and/or any other suitable operations of the heating device.

Once the target item is scanned, the heating device identification data,at 1110, is obtained. The heating device identification data may beobtained using a mobile communication device, which includes a circuit.Using the heating device identification data, at 1115, the heatingdevice is accessed and, at 1120, the heating device and the mobilecommunication device are wirelessly coupled, via a cloud network. Thecoupling may include inputting one or more login credentials.

The heating device may include at least one sensor. At 1125, using theat least one sensor, one or more measurements are taken and/orgenerated. The at least one sensor may measure an internal temperatureof the heating device, a temperature of a biohazard waste materialwithin the heating device, a weight of a biohazard waste material withinthe heating device, a volume of a biohazard waste material within theheating device, a level of carbon dioxide within the heating device, alevel of water within the heating device, an amount of time since astart of a heating process being performed by the heating device, and/orany other suitable measurements. The at least one sensor may furthergenerate sensor data that is useful for identifying at least onebiohazard waste material within the heating device.

The mobile communications device may include a microphone. At 1130, themobile communication device generates one or more commands forcontrolling operations of the heating device in accordance with one ormore voice commands input using the microphone.

Once the heating device and the mobile communications device arecoupled, at 1120, a graphical user interface, at 1135, is caused to bepresented that enables one or more user-software interactions forcommunicating the commands from the mobile communication device to theheating device. The mobile communication device can further be used, at1140, for accessing management data generating by the at least onesensor of the heating device, and for facilitating a visual inspectionof the heating device in an augmented reality environment. Incorrelation with the augmented reality environment, at 1145, acomputer-generated image can be caused to be superimposed on the user'sview of a real world environment.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been described usingspecific terms, such description is for present illustrative purposesonly, and it is to be understood that changes and variations to suchembodiments, including but not limited to the substitution of equivalentfeatures or parts, and the reversal of various features thereof, may bepracticed by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a heating devicecomprising: a transceiver that receives commands for controllingoperations of the heating device to dispose of biohazard waste; and atarget item that is coupled to or presented by the heating device, andincludes heating device identification data; and a mobile communicationdevice comprising a circuit configured to: obtain the heating deviceidentification data from the target item; access the heating deviceusing the heating device identification data; and cause an augmentedreality user interface to be presented that enables user-softwareinteractions for communicating the commands from the mobilecommunication device to the heating device.